THE MSF ACCESS CAMPAIGN

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is a leading international, independent, medical, humanitarian organisation, dedicated to providing medical humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations at times of conflict or disaster. In over 60 countries worldwide, MSF provides both life-saving emergency relief and longer-term assistance to make basic healthcare services available to the most vulnerable or excluded communities.

The Access Campaign was established in 1999 to improve access to existing medical tools (medicines, diagnostics, vaccines) and to stimulate the development of urgently needed better tools for people in countries where MSF works.

The priorities of the Access Campaign are guided by the medical challenges faced by MSF’s operations. The aim is to improve medical practice in resource-limited settings by accessing existing and new tools (drugs, diagnostics and vaccines) that can change the organisation’s medical practice. In 2014-6, the work of the Access Campaign will cover vaccines, tuberculosis, HIV, neglected tropical diseases, viral hepatitis, as well as broader ‘transversal issues’ on medical innovation, intellectual property and access to medical products. The Access Campaign also responds to operational emergency needs of MSF as required e.g. working on the Ebola response.

PLACE IN THE ORGANISATION

The Pharmaceutical Coordinator reports directly to the Executive Director of the Access Campaign and is a member of the Management Team of the Access Campaign. S/he is expected to work closely with the MSF Pharmacist network and the International Pharmaceutical Coordinator (IPC).

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Management:

Coordinates and supports the Access Campaign Pharmacists Team (based in Geneva and Paris) through technical supervision, HR and administrative management

Is a member of the MSF Access Campaign Management Team and as such contributes to the strategic management of the Access Campaign, including but not limited to providing specific input on pharmaceutical issues

Plans and manages the Budget for the Access Campaign Pharmacists team

Strategic and technical responsibilities on pharmaceutical issues:

Stimulates and promotes generic competition, production of appropriate drug / vaccine formulations and presentations and uptake and use of key new products

Provides strategic mapping of new opportunities to further the objectives of the Access Campaign with regards to stimulating generic competition and production of appropriate formulations, identifying potential emerging gaps (including where technologies are being abandoned) and advocating for action as required

With the Access Campaign management team, defines the list of “Campaign products” to be followed by the Access Campaign

Supervises the monitoring of key health technology prices, including coordination of key publications such as “Untangling the Web”, “Under the Microscope” and develops proposals for publications on new priority health technologies

In collaboration with the IPC, monitors and provides input to pharmaceutical policies of major donors and global health initiatives, including around procurement models and policies

Collaborates with the policy analysis team in the analysis and advocacy on intellectual property and regulatory barriers that prevent affordable access, and contributes to Access Campaign strategies and materials to overcome these barriers

In coordination with the IPC, develops strategies to respond to field requests on access barriers for individual products

Develops strategies to promote adapted regulatory frameworks that allow for timely approval of new and adapted products

In collaboration with the IPC explores strategies and advocates on strengthening the role of WHO Prequalification Programme and endemic country regulators in the approval of (new) medicines; and regulatory initiatives to stimulate development of adapted health technologies (e.g. paediatric formulations)

Contributes to MSF work on WHO Essential Medicines List review process

Monitors and, when appropriate, documents and influences regulatory strategies used by product development partnerships

Promotes policies and systemic changes that ensure quality and reduce substandard medicines (in close collaboration with the IPC)

Participates in the sourcing of products for MSF according to MSF Internal Qualification Scheme

Analyses current policy actions and trends on substandard medicines in developing countries and defines policy options that MSF should advocate for

Represents the MSF Access Campaign in external meetings and maintains a network of contacts with relevant experts, including with the pharmaceutical industry, WHO, global health actors etc.

Active participation in meeting the advocacy and communication objectives of the Access Campaign through high-level meetings, presentations and media interviews

Coordinates Pharmacists Team input into communications output, including (but not limited to) updates to pricing reports (Untangling the Web, Under the Microscope, etc.), product information on websites including the Patent Opposition Database, press releases, internal and external newsletters, etc.

Represents the MSF Access Campaign Pharmacists Team within the MSF pharmacists’ network and in other MSF platforms and meetings and establishes close relationships and good information sharing with MSF interlocutors, in particular the International Pharmacist Coordinator (IPC), disease-focused pharmacists and supply center counterparts

PROFILE REQUIREMENTS

Genuine interest in and commitment to the humanitarian principles of MSF

Degree in Pharmacy with at least seven years postgraduate experience including pharmaceutical policy and/or regulatory affairs

At least three years work experience in or with developing countries; field experience with MSF a distinct advantage

Excellent communication and team working skills

Management experience

Ability to think and plan strategically in relation to high level pharmaceutical issues

Self-motivated and enthusiastic

Effective networker with the ability to interact with a broad range of actors

Fluency in written and oral English; French and/or Spanish appreciated